Full-size self-driving buses will hit the road next month in what is believed to be a world first.

Stagecoach has announced that the ground-breaking service over Scotland’s Forth Road Bridge will start on May 15.

It will cover a 14-mile route between the Ferrytoll park and ride in Fife and the Edinburgh Park train and tram interchange.

Five single-decker autonomous buses will run to a frequent timetable with capacity for about 10,000 passenger journeys per week.

The vehicles have sensors enabling them to travel on pre-selected roads at up to 50mph.

A safety driver will sit in the driver’s seat to monitor the technology, and a so-called bus captain will help passengers with boarding, buying tickets and queries.

The UK government believes this will be the world’s first, full-size, self-driving, public bus service.

British woman, 28, dies after travelling to Turkey for gastric band surgery

More than £7,000 raised after fire at Lamont Farm Project in Erskine

Gary Meikle charged with murder after body of Charles Wilson found in Renton flat following fire

Kevin Stewart, transport minister for the Scottish government, said: “This is an exciting milestone for this innovative and ambitious project, and I very much look forward to seeing Project CAVForth take to the roads next month.

“Our trunk road network can provide a wide range of environments as a diverse testing ground, and the ground-breaking and globally significant Project CAVForth will really help Scotland establish its credentials on the world stage.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Read more:
Self-driving cars: Motorists will ‘not be liable for crashes and can watch TV behind the wheel’
Exclusive ride on first self-driving motorbike

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Stagecoach UK managing director Carla Stockton-Jones added: “We are excited to introduce the UK’s first autonomous bus fleet in east Scotland which is also home to our headquarters and where it all began over 40 years ago.

“We are proud to be at the forefront of transport innovation with this project that marks a significant milestone for public transport and we look forward to welcoming our customers on board in the coming months.”

Related posts:

Leicester hoping roadmap will finally lift COVID’s devastating grip on city Infected blood scandal victims welcome review into compensation payments COVID mortality rate 25% higher in Greater Manchester, report finds UK records 34,526 new COVID cases and 167 more deaths, daily figures show Yorkshire to take no action against any employees after racism claims by club’s ex-cricketer ‘Obsessive secrecy’ may have limited opportunities to stop Manchester Arena bomber, inquiry hears What is Plan B and why are ministers considering more restrictions? ‘Dangerous predator’ blackmailed 2,000 victims and sold ‘box sets’ of abuse to paedophiles Midget Gems no more: M&S rebrands classic sweets to avoid causing offence Prince Andrew’s accuser not motivated by ‘purely financial settlement’ Victims of Manchester Arena terror attack remembered five years on Only Fools And Horses star announces his lung cancer is ‘cured’